Troublemaker - 10. Chapter Ten

Barrett

The cool, night air introduced us as we exited the bar. We passed a small group of people chatting by the entrance, and I kept my pace with Todd’s stiff strides that either the temperature or nervousness caused.

Trying to resolve the latter, I playfully bumped my fist on Todd’s shoulder and said, “I didn’t know you made an entire mural. That’s big, isn’t it?”

Chuckling awkwardly, Todd said, “Nah, it was a group effort. I actually only made a small contribution, and it only covers the side of a small building. A bakery to be specific.”

“Still cool, though. To create art and have it displayed in public for others to see and appreciate.”

“You can say that. It was a fun project and it got me motivated again to do something meaningful, especially after what happened.”

I looked at Todd and asked, “Care to elaborate?”

“I’m sure Anthony has given you all the details, but long story short, I wasted my college years bouncing from one major to the next only to drop out after the semester I was expected to graduate. I was at a very low place in my life… Then a friend from an art class that I took told me about a mural that needed an extra hand in painting, and I thought, ‘why the hell not?’ I didn’t have anything else going on other than moping around and feeling like a disappointment. So, I helped, and I guess it led to what I currently do now with sticker graffiti… And here it is.”

We stopped by the side of a brick building, and I saw in full view the mural that Todd helped create. It was…not what I was expecting. On the center of the wall was the word “LOVERS” artistically graffitied in capital letters and surrounded by colorful flowers. However, the “V” was crooked and appeared to cover the letter “S.” A closer look showed that the V was painted to look like two bandages that intersected in a V-shape.

I chuckled and said, “I can safely assume what part of the mural you had your influence in.”

Todd smiled. “You know me so well.” He then approached the mural and touched his fingers on the mural. “The mural was made to cover up some graffiti that some bigots spray painted on the bakery over some rainbow pride cakes that they made. It was originally f-word losers, but some people decided to paint over it with a mural for free. It was my idea to not completely cover the original graffiti and to put bandages over the S as to show that we haven’t covered up and forgotten what happened, but that we still healed.”

“That's a very powerful message,” I admitted as I stood by Todd and touched the mural with my own hand.

“I doubt most people will get that message as they pass this mural. But it’s something. It was all done with spray paint. And thanks to this small project, I got introduced to the world of graffiti art, and soon sticker graffiti. I’m sure you saw more of my work at Marty’s.”

“I did. They also have messages if I’m not mistaken.”

“Yup. I know it’s counterintuitive to expose a milk brand at a grocery store meant to sell said brand for example, but I think it’s important to reveal to people the truth about certain corporations and industries.”

“No, I totally get it. Not many people know that they’re contributing to certain unethical practices by buying a certain brand, and you’re helping shine a light on it. That’s very admirable of you.”

“I wouldn’t say admirable, but hopefully it gets the job done.”

“However you spin it, It’s still a good thing you’re doing.”

I believed I saw a hint of blush bloom in my Todd’s cheek, but that must’ve been the temperature that quickly went from a pleasant chill to cold. I saw Todd rubbing his bare arms, and I decided to shuck off my coat.

“Here. Wear this. You’re shivering.”

“No, you don’t have to. You’ll get cold too.”

“Don’t worry about me,” I insisted, placing my coat over Todd’s shoulders.

Smiling, Todd said, “Thanks. Are you sure you’re not going to get cold?”

“Nah. Believe it or not, I don't get cold.”

“You really are a bear.”

“A…bear?”

Now Todd was blushing.

“I mean, you know, a bear. A term we gays use to describe a…burly and hairy gay man…but you’re not gay, you’re bi. But you are very… I’ll stop talking now.”

I laughed. “Oh, that’s what you meant.”

“Sorry.”

“No, don’t be. I’ll take that as a compliment.”

Pulling my coat tightly around him, Todd then said, “Do you want to head back to the bar now?”

“Sure.”

We turned around and started a trek back to the bar.

“Hey, I wanted to ask you. How did you and Channing make up?”

“Oh, that,” I said before chuckling. “I was actually at Marty’s again to get some grocery items when I bumped into Channing.”

I omitted the part when Channing looked ready to piss his pants from seeing me, probably thinking I was about to beat him up or something.

“We then decided to talk, and I got his side of the story. He also apologized for what he did and offered to fix my necklace for me.” I twiddled with the heart-shaped locket and continued, “He later handed my locket back a couple days later, all refurbished and told me about the art show, and I decided to come.”
“That’s good to hear… Why did you want to come to the art show at Bottoms Up?”

“To see your art, of course. Channing wouldn’t stop gushing about your art when we were waiting for our drinks at the bar.”

“Oh… That's what you two were talking about. For a while I thought… Never mind, it’s stupid.”

“Thought what?” I said, bumping Todd’s shoulder with my own.

“Well, Channing is very flirtatious, and I assumed he was making his moves on you or…something…but I shouldn’t have assumed.”
“Oh… Would that have been a problem?”

“No, not at all. He’s free to flirt with whoever…and you’re free to be flirted with. It’s just…weird to think about it.”

“Well, you don’t have to. He wasn’t flirting with me, and even if he was…he’s not my type.”

“Oh. What is your type then?”

I gazed at Todd, his face slightly blushy from the cold air, including the tip of his nose that made him even cute. Then that blush became a deeper red as I continued to stare at him, my eyes dropping to his full lips that were slightly parted. And my eyes turned upward to see his widened eyes staring back at me.

I then quickly looked forward and cleared my throat.

Shit.

I wasn’t seriously lusting after Todd right then. That would be a bad idea. Very bad. He’s my best friend’s little brother and my employer’s son. No way should I be thinking about Todd in any manner that wasn’t completely platonic.

Todd seemed uncomfortable too as he rubbed the back of his neck before saying, “So…did you like my art piece?”

“You’re what?” The wires in my head untangled themselves before I said, “Oh! Your art piece! I love it!”

Todd chuckled.

“No, seriously. I don’t think I came across a piece like yours before, either online or in person. A piece of art that people can both view and take a piece of their own. That’s so cool.”

“Oh. Thank you. It took me a while to think of all the details, but I’m glad it resonated with you.”

“It more than resonated with me. I think you have a great idea going on. Like I said, I haven’t seen art that had that kind of interactivity before. Maybe you should make another one and have it displayed in another art show, or even just in a street, like on a wall like your mural.”

“I don’t know. You really think it’s a good idea?”

“A great idea! I mean, imagine the possibilities.”

Grinning, Todd said, “Okay, you convinced me. Who would’ve thought that playing with stickers as a kid would’ve led to this opportunity?”

“You’ve been into stickers since you were a kid?”

“Yup. It was actually bandages first, the ones made for kids, so I felt better after getting a nasty cut from a pair of scissors. Like the ones with faces of your favorite cartoon or video game character. My mom had a small collection of those bandages since I got hurt a lot as a kid, jumping off the top of slides and falling into thorny bushes. I was pretty wild back then. And when I cried to Mom with the latest booboo, she would clean and bandage my wound while humming a soothing tune. Being a nurse, she knew what she was doing.”

“I always liked your mom.”

“She’s great…Was… One time I had both arms with a bandage of almost every Disney character like Mickey Mouse and Snow White. My mom thought I was getting hurt on purpose, so I could have another bandage to show off to my friends at school. So, she then bought me my first sticker pack, and I haven't looked back since.”

I chuckled. “I can totally see you covering your whole body with stickers.”

“Not just me. The house still has stickers in random places like under the coffee table and behind the couch. My addiction to stickers drove my dad mad sometimes, but I didn’t let up. I still have some of my old stickers that I haven’t used yet along with newer ones back at my apartment.”

“What about stickers makes you like them so much?” I asked curiously.

“I don’t know. Maybe it’s their small size or the fact you can peel them and place them where you want to and decorate an otherwise dull space with colors and cute animal faces. I guess it’s the interaction as you mentioned before perhaps. Why are you smiling at me like that?”

“Oh, sorry. Just admiring the fact that you must’ve had a great childhood.”

“It had its moments. I’m sure you have great memories of when you were a kid.”

“Eh, as a foster kid, I didn’t have much to look back on and smile about.”

Todd stopped. “Oh, God! I’m sorry. I totally forgot.”

“No worries. It wasn’t all bad. I eventually got fostered by Andrea who raised me despite me being difficult, became friends with your brother despite being a loner at first, and have a career and a house now even though it’s hard to believe sometimes. Not every person who experienced foster care can say they’re happy with where their life is right now.”
“You must’ve been through hell, and yet still came out on top.”

“Well, I don’t have everything that I want yet. I could update my house with a nice garden and get married one day. Maybe even raise a kid or two.”

“I can’t imagine getting married, at least not yet. I still live with my roommate since college and work at a minimum-wage job. I have to get my shit together before that ever happens.”

“Oh. And when you do, who do you think you’ll be married to?”

“I don’t know, can’t decide either between Channing Tatum or Chris Hemsworth.”

I laughed. “No, seriously. If you could picture your ideal partner, who would you envision?”

Todd’s eyes then gazed up at me, and I swallowed my throat as he bit his bottom lips and eyed me shyly.

Shit. Not again.

Todd looked away this time and said, “Eh, I have plenty of time to think about Mr. Right. I’m still in my twenties after all.”

“And I’ll be hitting thirty in a few months.”

“Does that trouble you?”

“No, not really. I mean, we’ll all get old and die eventually, right? But it’ll be nice to find that special someone and spend every second with them before that happens.”

Todd nodded. “Agreed.”

We resumed our walk back to the bar, which was only a short distance away.

Entering back inside, the bar was still crowded, but we managed to find Channing and Dillon again who were still standing by Todd’s art piece.

“Ah! Todd! Someone wants to talk to you about your pride flag piece,” Channing said.

“Oh, o-okay.”

Channing grabbed Todd’s hand and pulled him to an artsy looking man wearing a bandana, fedora, and scarf in one look. My phone then buzzed in my pocket, and I stepped to answer it.

“Hello?”

“Hi, is this Barrett Jones?” a woman on the other end asked.

“Yes, that’s me.”

“You left a message asking if I knew anything about your mother who gave you up when you were around six years of age. Am I correct?”

“Yes, that’s right… Are you somehow….?”

“Oh, no! I’m sorry. I should clarify who I am. I’m Cynthia Grant, and I work for an organization called Lost and Found meant to help adopted people relocate their birth parents.”

“I see. Sorry, I thought I was contacting someone who knows my…you know.”

“No worries. I can help begin the process of finding your birth mother for a reunion if you want to work with me. As someone who was also adopted, I fully understand the desire to find your roots.”

“That sounds great…but I was never really adopted. I have someone who cared for me, and she was the one who offered me your number but…”

“That’s no trouble at all! I’ll work with you regardless of your familial status, and I won’t rest until we find your mother and reunite the two of you.”

“Oh, thanks. Um…” I saw Todd approaching me and I then said, “Is it okay if I call you back in a few minutes since I’m at an event currently?”

“Oh, of course! You have my number.”

“I appreciate it. Bye.” Looking at Todd, I said, “What’s up?”

“A lot, actually. I’m talking to a well-known art curator who likes the interactive aspect of my art piece and wants to work with me to display another piece at his upcoming art gallery.”

“That’s great!”

“Yeah! I still need to talk to him about the details, and I just want to give your coat back. Thanks for lending it to me.”

“No problem,” I said, accepting my coat back.

Todd smiled. “Well, I should go back to him. Will you be staying?”

“Uh, I might have to leave. But congrats on the new opportunity.”

“Thanks. I hope to see you again soon… And Barrett?”

“Yeah?”

“When you asked who my ideal partner would be… I think I’m looking back at him.”

My heart felt ready to pound out of my chest from that confession. Before I could say anything, Todd gave a quick wave of his hand before jogging away.

My face felt warm, and I was probably the one blushing right then.

What do I do with this information?

Looking back at my phone, I felt a surge of hope as I tapped the phone number and placed it by my ear.

“Hello? Barrett?”

“Hi, it’s me. I think I’ll accept your offer for help to find my mother.”